Outgunned and out of Wimbledon

HE RAISED a nation's hopes that its long wait for tennis glory was over – and that Britain could finally shrug off its nearly-man status at Wimbledon.

Yet Andy Murray last night had to settle for the shattering disappointment of falling at the penultimate hurdle that the man he is determined to surpass – Tim Henman – knew too well.

In his quest to claim Britain's first place in a men's singles final since 1938, Murray was outplayed by America's Andy Roddick, going down three sets to one in a dramatic Centre Court encounter. The British No 1, third seed in the tournament, was beaten 6-4 4-6 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-5) by his big-serving opponent, who goes on to face five-times champion Roger Federer in tomorrow's final.

Murray, from Dunblane, put his legions of fans at Wimbledon and watching on TV screens all over the UK through the wringer in the third and fourth sets, losing both narrowly on tie-breaks.

The 26-year-old American dropped to his knees as he won the match before appearing to mouth "I'm sorry" to the crowd.

Murray said afterwards: "You always expect your opponents to play well at this stage of the tournament. I had a few chances in the first tie-break and chances early in the third set and I didn't take them. I thought I played well."

Murray's mother, Judy, and girlfriend, Kim Sears, had watched intently from their usual seats in the players' box, alongside his four-man coaching team. Murray's father, Willie, was also there to lend support.

After watching Murray slip to defeat, Henman – who suffered four semi-final losses – warned him it would take a long time to leave the defeat behind. But he added: "I don't think it will alter his view or certainly my view that he will win here one day."

In the star's home town, where shops, pubs, cafes and sports clubs were decked with banners, the butcher's shop was selling "Murray burgers", the Dunblane Hotel was serving strawberries, and fans packed into the bowling club, dejection replaced Murraymania last night .

But David McFarlane, 60, a family friend of the Murrays, said: "I am disappointed but I'm happy he made a semi-final. He has plenty of time left to take the Wimbledon title.

"I have so much respect for him because he has done a fantastic job. It makes me so proud. All he has to do now is come back next year better and stronger and he will win."

Health visitor Christina MacCallum, 35, was "really proud" of what Murray has achieved. She said: "He's done so well. At 22, hopefully he will do it again next year. But we're proud he got this far in Wimbledon anyway. He lost to a really good contestant and he's done really well. I feel 2010 will definitely be his year."

Stirling's provost, Fergus Wood, said: "He is a terrific ambassador for the outstanding sporting facilities here and there are certainly big things to come, not just from the Murray family but other youngsters too.

"Obviously we are enjoying being in the spotlight but we have enjoyed this kind of attention before with Braveheart. Andy certainly has that Braveheart factor."

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Andy has made Scotland proud by having such a magnificent championship.

"He has enormous talent and is a genuine contender to win any Grand Slam – I'm sure he will have many successes.

"It's wonderful for Scotland to have such a prodigious tennis talent as it encourages children from all over the country to participate in the sport, and Andy is a tremendous inspiration."

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said: "Andy Murray's magic did us proud and he put up a great fight. He is a player with a huge amount of talent and with great prospects before him and I'm sure he will win Wimbledon one day."

PAIN FOR NAMES

THE disappointment of Andy Murray's semi-final defeat was felt by a clutch of tennis legends, members of the Royal Family and a string of big-name celebrities.

Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver, Ilie Nastase, Guillermo Vilas and Mansour Bahrami were among the former Centre Court idols to watch the action unfold.

Celebrity watchers spotted Doctor Who star David Tennant, a fellow Scot, Dame Maggie Smith, Sir Michael Parkinson and Sir David Frost among the crowd yesterday.

The Duke and Duchess of Kent, the Duke of York, Princess Alexandra, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Earl of Ulster and Viscount Linley were among those in the Royal Box.

Murray revealed just before his clash with Andy Roddick that football icon David Beckham was his latest big-name fan.

The Scot took time out from preparing for his Centre Court showdown to reveal on his Twitter site that Beckham had sent him a good-luck message.

Murray said: "Had a hit, back in lockers. Good luck message from David Beckham last night. Thanks!" Murray had already won the backing of the Queen, Kate Winslet, Sir Sean Connery and Sir Cliff Richard.

BOOKIES' RELIEF

BRITAIN'S bookies breathed a sigh of relief last night after avoiding pay-outs of up to £10 million if Andy Murray had won the Wimbledon title.

More money had been placed on the Scot than any other in the tournament's history.

Ladbrokes spokesman David Williams said: "It was the biggest anti-climax of the betting year.

"Loyal fans are in disbelief and we've escaped what would've been our biggest payout in tennis betting history.

"Tim Henman cost British punters more cash than any other sportsman but Murray might just have pinched that unwelcome title in the past few weeks.

"Murray mania is over and we've lived to tell the tale, but we suspect he'll be back to give us more sleepless nights."

Graham Sharpe, a spokesman for William Hill, added: "If Murray had won we would have been paying out more than we ever have before on any individual at a tennis tournament – total payout would have been approaching £10 million."

Any Murray fans keen to show their support for their hero can gets odds of 5/2 for him to win Wimbledon next year, and 7/1 to scoop this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.